High winds and a brush fire prompted RCMP officers on Monday to ask residents of a small community in Newfoundland's Conception Bay to leave their homes.

The force described a brush fire burning near Chapel's Cove as "large."

A witness said high winds have helped the fire spread.

"The next minute it's a blaze all back up again and then it's moved on... I don't know the extent of the houses down around what we call the point but they are all in the direction of this fire,"said Chapel's Cove resident Mary Walsh.

CBC reporter Nadia Stewart, who also witnessed the fire, said at least three homes in the community have been damaged.

Sgt. Wayne Newell said motorists are being asked to avoid the area.

Newell said firefighters were on the scene Monday afternoon. He said that police were urging residents of nearby areas to stay clear of the area and let crews do their work.

The community is part of the amalgamated town of Harbour Main-Chapel's Cove-Lakeview, which has a combined population of about 1,100.